DIN -RULING, JUSTICE, JUDGMENT

Petra Hadžidaova
11 minutes ago
4 min read

Open your mouth, judge righteously,

And defend (plead) the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31: 9 (NASB)

(1)

INTRODUCTION

We serve a God of righteousness and justice. The Hebrew word for justice, a ruling, judgment, is din. It derives from the same-named verb meaning “to plead”, “to judge”. It is in God’s character to hear the pleas of the innocent. To rule in favor of the poor and needy.

JUSTICE AFTERALL

It was quite ironic. There, near the bearbed entrance, a lone figure stood staring back at the peach colored buildings behind. Though the facilities of the Missouri Department of Corrections are peachy colored, the experiences inside were anything but peachy for this lone figure. “Lamar, you are free to go.” Lamar Johnson was the lone figure’s name. He was imprisoned inside those walls for 30 years, after being wrongly convicted of murder. None believed in his innocence, though he had an alibi. But Lamar never gave up. Today, after much of his life being wasted, he was finally once more free. (2)

Is there anything worse than death? Some would say no, but many would claim otherwise. Many things are so detrimental to the human psyche that experiencing them is considered worse than death. Among them is being wrongfully sentenced for crimes one did not commit.

Lamar Jonson was one such case. 30 years of his life were stolen from him, but luckily in the end, the truth did come out. Justice prevailed. (2) Today, we will talk about just that, justice. We will take a look at the Hebrew word din.

THE HEBREW WORD DIN

The Hebrew noun for justice, a ruling, judgment, is din. It derives from the verb din, meaning “to judge”, “to plead”. (3, 4)

The concept reflects God’s nature as the just and righteous judge and highlights His holiness and moral order. God rewards righteousness and punishes wickedness, reflecting His commitment to justice and truth. (5)

The word is also related to the role of judges in Israel, who were appointed to maintain justice and order among the people. As those judges of long ago, we too are called to a life of integrity and justice. We are to reflect God's character in our interactions with others, promoting fairness and righteousness in all aspects of life. (5)

WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21: 1-4

The first Earth and first Heaven will pass away as states Revelation 21: 1-4. They will give way to the new. A place of peace and abundance. There will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more sickness. Before the new Heaven comes, the Messiah shall rule on the first earth for a thousand years. He will rule with righteousness and justice as mentioned in Isaiah 11: 1-5.

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;

but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.

Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

Isaiah 11: 1-5 (NIV)

All authority in Heaven and on Earth was given to Yeshua, our Messiah. He pleaded for the needy upon His first arrival, and He shall rule with fairness and justice upon His second.

CONCLUSION

Righteousness and justice are the epitome of the God we serve. It is in His nature and character to rule according to truth and justice. The Hebrew word for a ruling, justice, judgment is din. It derives from the verb din, meaning “to judge”, “to plead”. Yeshua pleaded for the needy upon His first arrival. Upon His second He will sit on His throne and rule with a rod of iron.